Chapter Two: A Dream Shattered by War, The Secret of the Forgotten River Entangles the Endless Years
The matter was finally resolved, and Li Chengyin was released, a heavy weight silently lifting from his heart.
Yet, strangely, from that moment on, he found himself ensnared in relentless nightmares.
Within those dreams lay a land utterly unfamiliar to him. He clutched tightly to a woman’s hand, as if she were his sole anchor amid the chaotic visions. Their fingers intertwined, he summoned every ounce of strength to hold on, unwilling to loosen even slightly.
Each time, a clear tear would slip from the corner of his eye. Upon awakening, the wrenching sensation lingered long in his chest, refusing to subside.
“A royal decree.”
Still steeped in the lingering shadows of his nightmare, Li Chengyin hastened to compose himself and greeted the messenger.
“The remnants of the Danchi rebels still harbor resentment against our dynasty, plotting to trample us to avenge past grievances. His Highness, Prince Yi, Li Chengyin, is hereby commanded to lead an immediate expedition to pacify Danchi and eradicate future threats. Prince Yi, accept this decree,” the eunuch’s sharp voice echoed in the air.
Li Chengyin knew he was to depart the capital at dawn. The journey ahead would be long, the return uncertain.
He longed to inform Qu Xiaofeng, but recalling her poisoning and understanding it as a mere warning from the Crown Prince, he feared that if he maintained too close a connection with her now, who would protect her once he left?
After much deliberation, he resolved to present Xiaofeng with a gift before his departure—a token of gratitude should he never return.
Together with Pei Zhao, he wandered through the bustling streets of the capital, visiting shop after shop, yet nothing seemed to match Xiaofeng’s unique spirit.
Until they stepped into the Pavilion of Elegance, where a crimson hairpin caught his eye. The pin was delicately carved into a lively little fox. As Li Chengyin gazed upon it, he thought to himself, this resembles Xiaofeng—so frank and endearing.
Lost in thought, a sudden sharp pain shot through his head like lightning.
“A fox, sitting atop that dune, gazing at the moon,” a strange song echoed in his mind.
When the pain eased, Li Chengyin said to Pei Zhao, “I want to see her.”
Pei Zhao quietly looked at him, saying nothing, as if he had long understood his intentions.
---
At that moment, Xiaofeng was chatting with Yongning. Li Chengyin watched quietly from afar. Sensing something, Xiaofeng turned and met his gaze.
Like a startled deer, Li Chengyin abruptly turned and hurried away, then instructed Pei Zhao to deliver the gift to Xiaofeng.
The next day, Li Chengyin set out on his campaign. Traveling by day and night, after three days they finally traced the rebellious Danchi tribe.
The place evoked an inexplicable familiarity—as if he had been here before. Scanning the scene, the layout of the tribe unfolded clearly in his mind. He ordered the troops to hide nearby, to rest and prepare for a night attack.
Restless, Li Chengyin wandered to a small stream to drink and refresh himself.
As he bent down, he sensed movement behind him. A flash of cold steel prompted him to instinctively dodge. Turning, he exclaimed, “Gu, cousin Gu? What are you doing here?”
Gu Jian’s face was filled with sorrow and anger. Brandishing his sword, he glared, “I was foolish to fail to protect Xiaofeng, and now I have no face to see her. I can only guard the places she once cared for. And now, you come to attack Danchi?”
Li Chengyin looked puzzled. “What do you mean? I don’t understand.”
Gu Jian snorted coldly. “Everyone hoped you two could start anew, but fate has cruelly tangled you again. You’d best stay away from her. There is no future for you two; she will never forgive you. We will live out our days burdened by guilt and regret.”
Anger flared within Li Chengyin. He retorted fiercely, “Gu Jian, you want me to give her up, to never entangle with her again? I will defy that—I will love her forever. She belongs to me alone.”
Grasping only a leather water pouch, he swung it at Gu Jian without fear. Gu Jian easily dodged and stepped back, ready to strike.
“Then we have nothing more to say,” Gu Jian said angrily.
“Gu Jian, Your Highness, don’t be rash!” Pei Zhao arrived just in time, pulling them apart.
“You share blood—why must you fight like this?” Pei Zhao pleaded anxiously.
“Pei Zhao, what are you hiding from me? Why do I know nothing?” Li Chengyin shouted.
“You brought this upon yourself. There are things you don’t need to know,” Gu Jian replied coldly.
“Your Highness, let me take you somewhere,” Pei Zhao said quietly.
---
The Forgotten River.
Every blade of grass and tree here stirred a deep sense of recognition in Li Chengyin’s heart. He was stunned—he had encountered this place many times before in dreams.
In those dreams, he desperately held a woman’s hand, begging her not to let go... No, no!
Suddenly, realization dawned—could that woman be...
“Qu Xiaofeng,” Pei Zhao whispered the name slowly.
Li Chengyin staggered back as if struck by lightning, disbelief etched across his face. “No, no, you’re lying! All lies! Ah! My head—such pain...”
He smashed his fist against the wall in a near breakdown.
Why did all this surface now, at this precise moment? Why were he and Xiaofeng caught in such a desperate plight? How could he choose?
Back at camp, Li Chengyin felt his face flush hot, then darkness claimed him as he collapsed into unconsciousness...